The Best Meatballs Ever

Photo: GSZ / CC BY 2.0Somewhere along Bon Appetit columnist Molly Wizenberg's search for the perfect meatball, she realized that the answer was at her doorstep. She found the meatball of her dreams at a restaurant near her home in Seattle, eventually getting a hold of the old Italian recipe that she shared with us in the October issue.

My own hunt for superb meatballs began in the high school cafeteria. Unfortunately, what I found on my lunch tray then were hefty, rubbery nuggets smothered in too-sweet, ketchup-like sauce. But there's something irresistible about the humble meatball; despite my limited exposure to them, I knew there had to be a better version out there.

Ten years later, like Molly, I found the best meatballs ever: New York City's Locanda Verde is my favorite. Chef Andrew Carmellini serves his famous lamb meatball sliders seasoned with Mediterranean spices and sprinkled with Caprino cheese. The sauce to meat ratio is perfect--just enough peppery tomato sauce to balance the lamb without overwhelming it. I could easily sit in front of a television with a bowl full of these juicy spheres, popping them into my mouth like popcorn. Until I learn how to make them, you'll find me at Locanda Verde, licking my plate of sliders clean.

So what are the best meatballs you've ever had at a restaurant? We decided to find out. And these were our favorite responses from Facebook and Twitter friends:"The Trail Mix Meatball"@tuck7471 says, "The meatballs at Morandi have raisins in them and are delicious."Morandi; 211 Waverly Place New York, 10014; 212-657-7575"Doesn't Come With Instructions Meatballs"@JMS_53 says, "Best meatballs? Ikea restaurant. What made them so good? the bitter Berry sauce, and slightly spice meat. Yum."Ikea; multiple locations

"I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Meatballs"Gina Gutierrez Pesce says, "My husband and I just got back from Venice where we had a delicious meal at a place called 'Al Mascaron Osteria'. They must have slowly simmered the meatballs for hours because the they just melted in our mouths like butter!"Al Mascaron Osteria; Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa 5225, Venice; 041-522-5995

"Lightweight Division Meatballs"Lisa Hery says, "Underhills Crossing Restaurant in Bronxville, NY offers ricotta meatballs with a tomato coulis and pecorino crisp on their snack menu that are light as a feather. Once one person orders them at the bar, it's a matter of minutes before you see orders come out for everyone at the bar! Now I'll think about them all day - guess I know what I'm having for dinner tonight!"Underhills Crossing; 74 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY 10708; 914-337-1200**"Just Like Grandma's Meatballs"Leigha Paul says, "Roma Cafe, Detroit, MI. These meatballs and sauce are memorable because they taste exactly like my grandma's. The secret is ground veal, ground beef and Italian spicy sausage. I think this is one of my favorite restaurants because my husband and I spent our first valentines day here together and his grandparents spent their first valentines day together."Roma Cafe; 3401 Riopelle, Detroit, MI 48207; 313-831-5940

"Just Married Meatballs"@geokaren says, "At the Saloon in South Philly in their Italian wedding soup, made w/pork and beef in gorgeous broth with escarole!"Saloon Restaurant; 750 S. 7th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147; 215-627-1811